Coalition moving forward in goal for immigration reforms

Group wants Rep. Farr to be more active with the movement

BY KIMBER SOLANA • ksolana@thecalifornian.com • May 6, 2009

The Coalition for Immigration Reform hopes to persuade U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, to become more of an "immigration champion" as discussed during the group's Tuesday night meeting in Salinas.

About 40 people, including Monterey County Supervisors Simon Salinas and Fernando Armenta, and others representing various organizations, attended the third meeting at the United Farm Workers Salinas headquarters, 437 E. Alisal St., to discuss ways to move forward with a comprehensive national immigration reform.

The coalition focuses on pro-worker issues and supports providing a path for undocumented workers toward legalization.

One idea the group discussed is getting Farr more involved with the immigration movement.

"We don't want [Farr] to just be supporting reform, but also to be more visible and to play a key role in the committee," said Merlyn Calderon, UFW California political director.

According to Calderon, Farr's office had already contacted UFW asking how he can be more helpful.

Those attending the meeting gave their own input. These ideas included asking the congressman to persuade other politicians to join the immigration movement, give a commitment of support to the campaign, and meet with immigrants and listen to their experiences.

"[Farr] understands the issue, but sometimes he needs to be reminded," Armenta said, adding other politicians, including U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, also need to be re-energized and to continue giving their support.

The meeting was the group's third meeting of the year, which began after the April 17 visit from U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez during his "Family Unity" tour stop in Salinas.

"[Obama] asked us to vote for him ... and we did," Gutierrez told hundreds of farmworkers during his visit. "He promised us that if we voted for him he would sign an immigration reform in the first year of his first term."

The coalition, which already involves elected officials from Monterey County, Hollister and Watsonville, and representatives from the Salinas Soccer League and Clinica de Salud, hopes to help Guiterrez and the immigration movement succeed.

"We can win," said UFW 2nd Vice President Efren Barajas. "We're getting to the point were we can create a plan and finally win immigration reform."

Also discussed at the meeting were ways to invite other organizations, including churches to sports leagues, to help with their immigration reform goals.

"That's the beauty of having a coalition," said Calderon. "We have more power to get things done ... this coalition will only get larger and stronger."

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